Top 25 NYE parties

Fireworks, DJs, costumes and more ways to end the year in style

By
Time Out Dubai staff
27 December 2010

Peppermint Experience with Paul van Dyk
When we ask Grammy Award winner Paul van Dyk why people should choose his set to see out 2010, he replies: ‘Because it’s my New Year’s Eve too, so I’m going to do everything to make sure we have the best night ever!’ Fair enough, but what will we hear that we haven’t already? After all, the electronic dance DJ has visited us several times in the past 12 months. ‘It’s about having a great time, so I’ll master a few club classics, but I’m working on my new artist album, which is out next year, so I’ll be playing the new music as well.’ Having DJed on no less than 16 consecutive New Year’s Eves, there’s no doubting he’s a dab hand at giving the crowd exactly what they’re after.
Dhs250 per person, Dhs350 VIP. Doors open 10pm. Saeed Halls 2 and 3, Dubai World Trade Centre (04 332 6343)

Mousse T at Sanctuary
You may know him only as the man who brought us cheesy ’90s hits ‘Horny (Horny, Horny)’ and ‘Sex Bomb’ with Tom Jones, but Mousse T, real name Mustafa Gündo˘gdu, tells us these days he spins underground and soulful house during his sessions on the decks. ‘This will be my first time in Dubai, and I’m really looking forward to it,’ he enthuses on the phone from Germany. ‘I’m always hearing that everything in Dubai – including most clubs – is about being the best of the best, which is great.’ So what can we expect from the producer and DJ when he hits the decks at Sanctuary? ‘New Year’s Eve is a special date, so you might hear the odd big record, to give people a night to remember,’ he says. ‘On the other hand, I want to give them something new. I’m going to be there with singer Sharon Phillips, who is the best singer I’ve ever heard. She is going to blow people’s minds.’ For those of you that fancy seeing two Dubai debuts this NYE, Sanctuary is the go-to destination.
Dhs1,000 per person, including house beverages. Open 9pm-3am. Atlantis the Palm (04 426 0561)

Axwell at The Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa
When he last touched down in Dubai on NYE two years ago, renowned Swedish DJ Axwell, real name Axel Hedfors, saw his gig cancelled, along with every other party in town (to support those suffering in Gaza under Israeli attack at the time). This year, he’s hoping for better luck and is gearing up for something special. ‘It’s been a long time since I saw the people of Dubai,’ he says. ‘I think it’s time we connected again, to make it a memorable New Year’s Eve.’ For someone who’s worked the last six New Year’s Eves in a row, you can’t help but admire his enthusiasm, though the Swede admits there’s something in it for him too. ‘If you’re going to travel for new year, you have to go somewhere hot. Most of the time I’m either in Australia or Dubai – I’m not going to go to Alaska! I’m just playing music, so it’s pretty entertaining for me as well.’
Dhs550 per person; Dhs650 VIP with table reservation. Doors open 9pm. The Ballroom, Habtoor Grand Resort and Spa (050 718 6232)

Barasti
It’s Mardi Gras time at this triple-layered beachfront joint, with live bands, DJs and theatrical entertainers on hand to keep the colourfully-dressed crowd in high spirits.
Dhs150 per person in advance, Dhs200 on the door, including one food voucher valid until 11.30pm. Open 7pm-3am. Le Méridien Mina Seyahi (04 399 3333)

Trilogy
Techno innovator, DJ and producer Dubfire, real name Ali Shirazinia, arrives in Dubai to set the decks on fire at this multi-storey club. Every 50th guest will win a prize, ranging from brunches to hotel stays.
Dhs600 per person for the main club with an open bar on selected drinks; Dhs850 per person for the rooftop, including an open bar on selected premium beverages. Open 10pm ’til late. Souk Madinat Jumeirah (050 524 5751)

Nasimi
Watch the fireworks and dance to DJs Smokingroove, Schooly, David Craig and Tim Cheddar spinning soul, funk, disco, house and cheese throughout the night – all without taking your toes out of the sand.
Dhs950 per person including house beverages. See Nightlife listings, page 117, for VIP details. Open 9pm-3am. Atlantis The Palm (055 200 4321)

Chi@The Lodge
Six DJs will be serving up house, R&B, ’80s, ’90s, rock, chart and classic hits throughout the night, across four dancefloors. Bring your business card for the chance to go home with the keys to a brand new Mini Cooper.
Dhs200 per person. Open 8pm ’til late. Al Nasr Leisureland, Oud Metha (04 337 9470)

RED Lounge and Terrace
If you want to glam up without being surrounded by disco kids, head to this nightspot for a contemporary Chinese experience, with dim sum, free-flowing drinks and plenty of bubbly.
Dhs1,188 per person, including house beverages and half a bottle of bubbly. Open 7pm-3am. Raffles Dubai, Oud Metha (04 324 8888)

Uptown Bar
If you’re looking for a less frenetically hedonistic event, this 24th-floor bar will be throwing a Roaring ’20s-themed party, with guests encouraged to dress in pre-war get-up. Step onto the terrace for great views of the fireworks.
Dhs695 per person, including half a bottle of bubbly, selected drinks and tapas. Open 7pm ’til late. Jumeirah Beach Hotel (04 406 8999)

Boudoir
It’s a New Year’s Eve ‘extravaganza’ at this Jumeirah club, with New York’s DJ Scratchator (Busta Rhymes’s personal DJ, apparently) cooking up a musical tornado on the decks.
Dhs795 including drinks, Dhs995 per person for those on tables. Open 9pm-3am. Dubai Marine Beach Resort and Spa (04 435 5995)

Armani PrivéWhere: Armani Hotel (04 888 3308). When: 9pm till late. How much: Dhs500 including one glass of bubbly. The lowdown: Called the ‘Mysterious Seduction of Dark Passion at Armani/Prive’, this party looks set to be, er, different with entertainment from resident DJs and a ‘visual show’.

Cavalli ClubWhere: Fairmont Dubai (04 332 9260). When: 8pm-3am. How much: Call for details. The lowdown: Their ‘Flower Power’ retro-themed party looks set to groove us well past the stroke of midnight with the best tunes of the 20th century.

Atelier FTV NYE Party 2011Where: Jumeirah Emirates Towers (Call Mac.s.Far on 050 565 5427). When: 9pm-4am. How much: Dhs250 regular, Dhs450 VIP. The lowdown: If ever you needed an excuse to pick up a new glam dress and pair of skyscraper heels, let this fabulous New Year’s party be it. The event boasts not one but two star elements – FashionTV International and Atelier, voted the hottest clubbing brand in Dubai by local and international magazines, who are putting the fabulous show together. If that’s not enough to impress, note that this Dubai party is expected to be the only FTV NYE party happening in the world too (well, it is Dubai after all).

Kandy NYE ExperienceWhere: Crowne Plaza Dubai (Call M&M Group 050 433 3369). When: 8pm-4am. How much: Dhs200 regular, Dhs300 VIP. The lowdown: Award-winning Kandy Club is hosting yet another spectacular event for those that want to be on the dancefloor when the clock strikes midnight. The Kandy Experience, at the Jumeirah Ballroom in Crowne Plaza Hotel, will feature a mix of international performers, the latest sound and light gadgetry to add to the atmosphere, and of course, you and about 4,000 other happy people. This year’s line-up is from the UK, India and Dubai, including Brit-Asian stars RDB, the prince of DJs, DJ Hani as well as DJ Jeff, so you know the sounds are going to be electric.

Senyar ’80s partyWhere: Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina(04 511 7309). When: 9pm-3am. How much: Dhs100, includes one drink. The lowdown: Time to air out those bell-bottoms. There’ll be non-stop ’80s tracks from an international DJ at this retro-tastic party so you can expect ‘We Are The Champions’, ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Billie Jean’ and other classics to keep you company well into 2011. There will also be 50 per cent off on drinks from 11pm until 1am, three free glasses of bubbly for ladies from 1am until 3am, and even a lucky draw at midnight with one couple will winning flights and accommodation at The W Doha, just in case you needed more than just great tunes to sway your decision.

Studio OneWhere: Hilton Dubai Jumeirah (04 399 1111). When: 9pm till late. How much: Dhs395. The lowdown: Get down and boogie at Studio One’s ’80s party. The price gets you five drinks, a snack platter for two, a glass of bubbly when the clock strikes midnight, and an ‘exclusive’ pass to see their fireworks display.

The Music RoomWhere: Majestic Hotel (Call 050 248 4054 for details). When: 6pm-4am. How much: Dhs200, including snacks and a complimentary drink. The lowdown: Calling all Dancing Queens, get your funky shoes on this New Year’s Eve as the ‘No.1 International ABBA Tribute Band’ will be playing the classics you know and love.

ZincWhere: Crowne Plaza Dubai (800 Crowne/ 276963). When: 10pm till late. How much: Dhs450 and upwardsThe lowdown: Greg Stainer, Zinc & Radio 1 resident DJ, will be your host at this black and gold-themed party. Expect house music and club anthems, though there’ll also be plenty of R’n’B and hip hop.

Scarlett’sWhere: Jumeirah Emirates Towers (04 319 8768). When: 7.30pm till late. How much: Dhs200 minimum cover charge. The lowdown: For years it’s dined us, fuelled us and given us a fun time, but now it’s time to say goodbye to Scarlett’s. Not one to go out without a bang, Scarlett’s is coupling their official closing party with the NYE so you know it’s going to be a big one. They’ll be raffling away artefacts from the place every hour (a boon for a unique new piece of home decor), and will keep the party going with the help of a DJ. Go along and say goodbye to both 2010 and Scarlett’s (sob).

Armani/Lounge
Dance to club tracks on a specially constructed dancefloor and join in the countdown while taking in the views of Downtown Dubai.
Dhs450 from 6pm-9pm, includes two glasses of bubbly and canapés. Countdown from 10pm-1am, drinks and food à la carte. Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa (04 888 3444).

Audio Tonic NYE special
Cutting-edge house producers Tom Middleton and Vincenzo headline the party, with support from Mr Mr and Tristan Bain. This year, expect no less than 17 solid minutes of firework celebrations.
Dhs360 before 12.30am, Dhs180 after. Open 7pm-4am. 360°, Jumeirah Beach Hotel (04 348 0000).

Burj Al Arab NYE Gala
Kicking off at 6.30pm with a bubbly reception, followed by a gala dinner in the restaurant of your choice and entertainment from UK band Scaramouche. The hotel will light up the sky at midnight with fireworks.
Dhs7,450 for adults, Dhs2,500 for children. Open 6.30pm-2am. Burj Al Arab (04 301 7600).

New Year’s Eve at The Irish Village
Music, dance and midnight fireworks, plus a wide range of food stations to keep you going throughout the night.
Dhs150 inadvance, Dhs300 on the door. The Aviation Club, Garhoud (04 282 4750).

New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at Zuma
Enjoy drinks and canapes followed by dinner and a show, before the DJs hit the decks and get everyone dancing.
Dhs999 per person restaurant booking, Dhs1,350 lounge booking per person including bubbly. From 8pm ‘til late. Zuma, DIFC (04 425 5660).

Karma Kafé presents New Year’s Eve with Guy Manoukian and DJ Said Mrad
A live performance from Lebanese composer and musician Manoukian and his six-piece band, with support from Mrad.
Dhs1,400 per person, includes five-course dinner and premium beverages; Dhs750 for bar reservations including drinks. Open 8pm-3am. Karma Kafé, Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Burj Khalifa (04 423 0909).